Flat panel display apparatus having fixing groove and fixing member to secure display module

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a flat panel display apparatus having fixing members each disposed between a display module and a case to combine the display module to the case. The fixing members prevent the display module from being moved in Z- and Y-directions using a body portion and a first guide portion facing each other and second guiding portions extended from the end portions of the body portion, respectively. Also, the fixing members prevent the display module from being moved in X-direction using a connecting portion that connects the body portion and the first guide portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an FPD (Flat Panel Display) apparatus,and more particularly to an FPD apparatus having fixing members tosecure a display module in a case of the FPD apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Information processing devices have been developed to include variousshapes and functions with a high data processing speed. In suchinformation processing devices, processed information in the form ofelectric signals requires a display device as an interface means betweenan information processing device and a user.

Generally, a flat panel display apparatus is lighter and smaller than aCRT-type display apparatus and has a low power consumption. An LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) apparatus is a flat panel display apparatuswidely used for a monitor of a computer, a television receiver andanother display device.

The LCD apparatus changes an arrangement of liquid crystal moleculesinto a specific arrangement by applying a voltage to the liquid crystalmolecules. The LCD apparatus changes the optical properties, such asbirefringence, optical linearity, dichroism and light scattering, ofliquid crystal cells, which emit light in response to its arrangement.The variations in the optical properties are converted into variationsin visual properties to display an image.

The size of LCD apparatuses has been increased to comply with demand ofcustomers, so that the size of an LCD module and a case for receivingthe LCD module is also increased. Thus, there have been developments ina layout of components constituting an LCD apparatus to maintain the LCDapparatus compact and light.

In the structure of an LCD apparatus, the size of a space between an LCDmodule and a case is an important factor in determining the entire sizeof the LCD apparatus. The LCD module, generally, is combined with thecase using screws engaged into holes disposed on sidewalls of the LCDmodule and case.

However, when the LCD module is combined with the case using the screws,steps, such as a process for forming the holes and engaging the screwsinto the holes, for assembling the LCD apparatus may increase. Also,since the LCD module is combined with the case using the screws, thenumber of parts of the LCD apparatus increases, thereby deterioratingproductivity and assembling efficiency of the LCD apparatus.

Further, the LCD apparatus requires a combination space appropriate toengage the screws into the holes in order to combine the LCD module withthe case using the screws. As a result, the size of a non-effectivedisplay area of the LCD apparatus increases, which results in anincrease in the total size of the LCD apparatus.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an FPD apparatus having an increasedproductivity and assembling efficiency.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided an FPD apparatuscomprising: a display module for displaying an image; a case forreceiving the display module; and a fixing member disposed between thedisplay module and the case to combine the display module with the case.

In an embodiment of the FPD apparatus, the fixing member is coupled withthe display module without using screws. Thus, productivity andassembling efficiency of the FPD apparatus increase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other advantages of the present invention will becomereadily apparent by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of an FPDapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure of a fixing membershown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing an assembled structure ofthe display module and the first fixing member shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of a display module and a fixingmember according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of a display module and a fixingmember according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of a display module and a fixingmember according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a structure of a fixing memberaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a structure of a fixing memberaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of an LCDapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view, taken along the lines I–I′, of the LCDapparatus shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view, taken along the lines II–II′, of the LCDapparatus shown in FIG. 13; and

FIGS. 16 and 17 are schematic views showing positions of the data PCBand first and second fixing members shown in FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of an FPDapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.2 is a perspective view showing a structure of a fixing member shown inFIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, an FPD apparatus 500 includes a display module 100for displaying an image, cases 300 and 400 for covering the displaymodule 100, a first fixing member 201 and a second fixing member 202 forfixing the display module 100 to the cases 300 and 400.

The display module 100 includes first, second, third and fourth sidesurfaces 110, 120, 130 and 140, a first surface 150 extended from thefirst to fourth side surfaces 110, 120, 130 and 140 and a second surface160 facing to the first surface 150. The first surface 150 includes aneffective display area D for displaying images and a non-effectivedisplay area S surrounding the display area D. The first and second sidesurfaces 110 and 120 facing each other are respectively provided with afixing groove 111.

The cases 300 and 400 are, for example, a rear case 300 for covering arear surface of the display module 100 and a front case 400 for coveringa front surface of the display module 100, which is combined with therear case 300.

The rear case 300 includes a bottom surface 310 and four first sidewalls320, 330, 340 and 350 facing the first to fourth side surfaces 110, 120,130 and 140, respectively. The first sidewalls 320, 330, 340 and 350 areextended from the bottom surface 310. Thus, the rear case 300 covers thedisplay module 100 using the bottom surface 310 and the first sidewalls320, 330, 340 and 350.

The front case 400 includes a upper surface 410 for covering thenon-effective display area S of the first surface 150 of the displaymodule 100 and four second sidewalls 420, 430, 440 and 450 facing thefour first sidewalls 320, 330, 340 and 350, respectively. The secondsidewalls 420, 430, 440 and 450 are extended from the upper surface 410.The front case 400 is combined with the rear case 300 after the displaymodule 100 is covered by the rear case 300 so as to cover thenon-effective display area of the first surface 150.

The first and second fixing members 201 and 202 are disposed at the endportions A and B of the display module 100, respectively, and combinedwith the display module 100. The first and second fixing members 201 and202 combined with the display module 100 are coupled to the rear case300 to prevent the display module 100 from being moved in the rear andfront cases 300 and 400. Particularly, the first fixing member 201 isdisposed at the first end portion A corresponding to the first sidesurface 110 of the display module 100 and the second fixing member 202is disposed at the second end portion B corresponding to the second sidesurface 120 of the display module 100.

Hereinafter, since the first and second fixing members 201 and 202 havethe same structure and function, only the first fixing member 201 willbe described and a detailed description of the second fixing member 202will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first fixing member 201 includes a body portion210, a first guiding portion 220, a connecting portion 230, a secondguiding portion and a fixing portion.

The body portion 210 has a flat plate shape and faces to the secondsurface 160 of the display module 100. The first guiding portion 220faces to the body portion 210 and guides the display module 100 alongthe body portion 210. That is, the first guiding portion 220 is extendedin the longitudinal direction of the body portion 210, and itshorizontal surfaces are parallel with those of the body portion 210.When the first fixing member 201 is combined with the display module100, the first guiding portion 220 is inserted into the fixing groove111 disposed on the first side surface 110 of the display module 100.The connecting portion 230 connects the body portion 210 and the firstguiding portion 220.

The second guiding portion includes a first supporting portion 241 and asecond supporting portion 242 extended from both end portions of thebody portion 210. The first supporting portion 241 is corresponding tothe third side surface 130 adjacent to the first side surface 110 andthe second supporting portion 242 is corresponding to the fourth sidesurface 140 adjacent to the second side surface 120. Thus, the first andsecond supporting portions 241 and 242 prevent the display module 100from being moved.

The fixing portion includes a first fixing portion 251 extended from thefirst supporting portion 241 and a second fixing portion 252 extendedfrom the second supporting portion 242. The first and second fixingportions 251 and 252 are provided with a first engaging hole 251 a and asecond engaging hole 252 a, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, the rearcase 300 is provided with a first protruding portion (not shown) and asecond protruding portion 362 having a first engaging recess (not shown)and a second engaging recess 362 a, respectively.

Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the first fixing member 201combined with the display module 100 is received in the rear case 300,the first fixing member 201 is coupled to the rear case 300 using screws(referring to FIG. 4) that are passing through the first and secondfixing portions 251 and 252.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing an assembled structure ofthe display module and the first fixing member shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the display module 100 includes the firstsurface 150, the second surface 160 facing the first surface 150 and thefirst side surface 110 that connects the first surface 150 and thesecond surface 160. The first side surface 110 is provided with thefixing groove 111 and the fixing groove 111 is disposed along thewidthwise center of the first side surface 110. That is, assuming thatthe first side surface 110 has height “h”, the fixing groove 111 ispositioned at a height of about “h/2”.

The first fixing member 201 includes the body portion 210 facing to thesecond surface 160, the first guiding portion 220 parallel to the bodyportion 210 and inserted into the fixing groove 111 so as to guide thedisplay module 100 along the body portion 210 and the connecting portion230 facing to the first side surface 110 and connecting the body portion210 and the first guiding portion 220. Thus, the first fixing member 201prevents the display module 100 from being moved in direction “Z”.

Also, the first fixing member 201 further includes the second guidingportion having the first and second supporting portions 241 and 242extended from the end portions of the body portion 210, respectively.Each of the first and second supporting portions 241 and 242 is extendedin direction Z. Assuming that the third and fourth side surfaces 130 and140 each have height “h”, the first and second supporting portions 241and 242 each have a height of about “h/2”. Accordingly, the first fixingmember 201 prevents the display module 100 from being moved in direction“Y” using the first and second supporting portions 241 and 242.

The first fixing member 201 further includes the first and second fixingportions 251 and 252 extended from the first and second supportingportions 241 and 242, respectively. The first and second supportingportions 241 and 242 are provided with the first and second engagingholes 251 a and 252 a, respectively. The rear case 300 further includesthe first and second protruding portions 361 and 362 corresponding tothe first and second fixing portions 251 and 252, respectively. Thefirst and second protruding portions 361 and 362 are provided with thefirst and second engaging recesses 361 a and 362 a corresponding to thefirst and second engaging holes 251 a and 252 a, respectively.

Accordingly, when the first fixing member 201 is received into the rearcase 300, the first and second engaging holes 251 a and 252 a arecorresponding to the first and second engaging recesses 361 a and 362 a,respectively. A first screw 371 is sequentially engaged into the firstengaging hole 251 a and the first engaging recess 361 a and a secondscrew 372 is sequentially engaged into the second engaging hole 252 aand the second engaging recess 362 a so as to combine the first fixingmember 201 with the rear case 300.

The second fixing portion 252 is for combining the first fixing member201 with the rear case 300 and the first fixing portion 251 is forcombining the rear case 300 with the front case 400 using a hinge member(not shown).

Accordingly, in an assembled FPD apparatus, the display module 100received into the rear case 300 is prevented from being moved indirections Z and Y. Since the first and second fixing members 201 and202 are disposed at the first and second end portions “A” and “B” of thedisplay module 100 (referring to FIG. 1), the display module 100 is alsoprevented from being moved in direction X.

Particularly, since the first fixing member 201 may be combined with thedisplay module 100 without screws, the number of parts used to combinethe display module 100 with the rear case 300 may be reduced, so thatproductivity and assembling efficiency of the FPD apparatus 500 mayincrease.

Also, the first fixing member 201 has a strength capable of preventingthe display module 100 from being damaged by an external impacts becausethe rear and front cases 300 and 400 are made of, for example, plasticmaterial.

The rear and front cases 300 and 400 are combined with each other usinga hook (not shown). That is, one of the rear and front cases 300 and 400is provided with a protrusion and the other of the rear and front cases300 and 400 is provided with a recess. The rear and front cases 300 and400 may be combined with each other by engaging the protrusion into therecess.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of a display module and a fixingmember according to another embodiment of the present invention. InFIGS. 5 and 6, the elements equivalent to those in FIGS. 3 and 4 arerepresented with like reference numerals.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a display module 101 includes a firstsurface 150 for displaying an image, a second surface 160 facing thefirst surface 150, and first to fourth side surfaces 170, 130 and 140.The first surface 150 includes an effective display area D fordisplaying images and a non-effective display area S surrounding thedisplay area D at the margins of the first surface 150.

A fixing member 501 includes a body portion 210 facing to the secondsurface 160, a guiding portion 520 facing to the first surface 150 forguiding the display module 101 along the body portion 210, and aconnecting portion 530 connecting the body portion 210 and the guidingportion 520. The connecting portion 530 faces to the first side surface170. The guiding portion 520 is disposed corresponding to thenon-effective display area S of the first surface 150. Particularly, thewidth W1 of the guiding portion 520 is narrower than the width W2 of thenon-display area S. Thus, the guiding portion 520 does not reduce thedisplay area D of the display module 101.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views showing a structure of a displaymodule and a fixing member according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a display module 100 includes a firstsurface 150 for displaying an image, a second surface 160 facing thefirst surface 150, and first to fourth side surfaces 110, 130 and 140.The first surface 150 includes an effective display area D fordisplaying images and a non-effective display area S surrounding thedisplay area D. The first side surface 110 is provided with a fixinggroove 111 disposed along the widthwise center of the first side surface110. That is, assuming that the first side surface 110 has height “h”,the fixing groove 111 has a height of about “h/2”.

A fixing member 701 includes a body portion 710 facing to the firstsurface 150, a guiding portion 720 to be inserted into the fixing groove111 for guiding the display module 100 along the body portion 710, and aconnecting portion 730 connecting the body portion 710 and the guidingportion 720. The connecting portion 730 faces to the first side surface110. The width W3 of the body portion 710 is narrower than the width W2of the non-display area S. Thus, the body portion 710 does not reducethe effective display area D of the display module 100.

The fixing member 701 further includes another guiding portion havingthe first and second supporting portions 741 and 742 extended from theend portions of the body portion 710, respectively. Each of the firstand second supporting portions 741 and 742 is extended in direction Z.Assuming that the third and fourth side surfaces 130 and 140 each haveheight “h”, the first and second supporting portions 741 and 742 eachhave a height of about “h/2”. Accordingly, the fixing member 701prevents the display module 100 from being moved in direction Y usingthe first and second supporting portions 741 and 742.

The fixing member 701 further includes a first fixing portion 751 and asecond fixing portion 752 extended from the first and second supportingportions 741 and 742, respectively. The first and second fixing portions751 and 752 are provided with first and second engaging holes 751 a and752 a, respectively. The rear case 300 further includes first and secondprotruding portions 361 and 362 corresponding to the first and secondfixing portions 751 and 752, respectively. The first and secondprotruding portions 361 and 362 are provided with first and secondengaging recesses 361 a and 362 a corresponding to the first and secondengaging holes 751 a and 752 a.

Accordingly, when the fixing member 701 is received into the rear case300, the first and second engaging holes 751 a and 752 a arecorresponding to the first and second engaging recesses 361 a and 362 a,respectively. A first screw 371 is sequentially engaged into the firstengaging hole 751 a and the first engaging recess 361 a and a secondscrew 372 is sequentially engaged into the second engaging hole 752 aand the second engaging recess 362 a so as to combine the first fixingmember 201 with the rear case 300.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of a display module and a fixingmember according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a display module 101 includes a firstsurface 150 for displaying an image, a second surface 160 facing thefirst surface 150 and first to fourth side surfaces 170, 130 and 140.The first surface 150 includes an effective display area D fordisplaying images and a non-effective display area S surrounding thedisplay area D.

A fixing member 901 includes a body portion 910 facing to the firstsurface 150, a guiding portion 920 facing to the second surface 160 forguiding the display module 101 along the body portion 910, and aconnecting portion 930 for connecting the body portion 910 and theguiding portion 920. The connecting portion 930 faces to the first sidesurface 170. The width W3 of the body portion 910 is narrower than thewidth W2 of the non-display area S.

The fixing member 901 further includes another guiding portion havingfirst and second supporting portions 941 and 942 extended from the endportions of the body portion 910, respectively. Also, the fixing member901 further includes a first fixing portion 951 and a second fixingportion 952 extended from the first and second supporting portions 941and 942, respectively.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a structure of a fixing memberaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, a fixing member 1103 includes a body portion 1110,a plurality of guiding portions 1160 facing to the body portion 1110 andseparated from each other, and a connecting portion 1130 that connectsthe guiding portions 1160 and the body portion 1110. Also, the fixingmember 1103 further includes another guiding portion having first andsecond supporting portions 1141 and 1142 respectively extended from theend portions of the body portion 1110. The fixing member 1103 furtherincludes first and second fixing portions 1151 and 1152 extended fromthe first and second supporting portions 1141 and 1142, respectively.

The fixing member 1103 has a weight less than that of the first fixingmember 201 shown in FIG. 2 because the fixing member 1103 shown in FIG.11 has the guiding portions 1160 discretely formed, where a space isprovided between the adjacent guiding portions.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a structure of a fixing memberaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, a fixing member 1204 includes a body portion 1210,a plurality of guiding portions 1260 separated from each other and aplurality of connecting portion 1230 that connects the guiding portions1260 and the body portion 1210. The connecting portions 1230 areseparated from each other in a predetermined distance, same as theguiding portions 1260 do. In this embodiment, each of the connectingportions 1230 is integrally connected with corresponding one of theguiding portions 1260. Thus, the fixing member 1204 has a weight lessthan that of the first fixing member 1103 shown in FIG. 11 because theconnecting portions 1230 as well as the guiding portions 1260 arediscretely formed such that a space is provided between the adjacentconnecting portions. In the exemplary embodiments above describedreferring to FIGS. 5 through 12, the description is directed to thefixing members to be assembled at the first side surface of the displaymodule. It should be noted that another fixing member equivalent to anyof the exemplary embodiments may also be assembled at the second sidesurface of the display module.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of an LCDapparatus (as an example of an FPD apparatus) according to an embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 14 is a sectional view, taken along thelines I–I′, of the LCD apparatus shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is asectional view, taken along the lines II–II′, of the LCD apparatus shownin FIG. 13.

Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, an LCD apparatus 1100 includes an LCDmodule 1000 for displaying an image, a rear case 300 and a front case400 to be combined with the rear case 300 for receiving the LCD module1000 and first and second fixing members 201 and 202 so as to preventthe LCD module 1000 from being moved in the rear and front cases 300 and400.

The LCD module 1000 includes a display unit 600 for displaying images bycontrolling light transmittance using liquid crystal therein, abacklight unit 700 for supplying light to the display unit 600, a firstreceiving container 800 for receiving the display and backlight units600 and 700, and a second receiving container 900 to be combined withthe first receiving container 800 to secure the display unit 600 in thefirst receiving container 800.

The display unit 600 includes an LCD panel 610 for displaying images,and data and gate PCBs (Printed Circuit Board) 620 and 630 forgenerating driving signals applied to the LCD panel 610.

The LCD panel 610 includes a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) substrate 611, acolor filter substrate 613, and liquid crystal (not shown) interposedbetween the TFT and color filter substrates 611 and 613. The TFTsubstrate 611 includes a plurality of gate lines (not shown) extended ina column direction, a plurality of data lines (not shown) extended in arow direction, TFTs (not shown) each connected to the gate and datalines, and a pixel electrode (not shown) connected to the respectiveTFTs.

The LCD panel 610 is provided with a gate TCP (Tape Carrier Package)650, which is a kind of flexible films, so as to electrically connectthe LCD panel 610 to the gate PCB 630. The gate TCP 650 is disposed on agate portion, on which terminals of the gate lines are disposed, of theLCD panel 610. Also, the LCD panel 610 is provided with a data TCP 640so as to electrically connect the LCD panel 610 to the data PCB 620. Thedata TCP 640 is disposed on a data portion, on which terminals of thedata lines are disposed, of the LCD panel 610.

The backlight unit 700 includes a light source part 710 for generatingfirst light, a light guide plate 720 for guiding the first light to theLCD panel 610, and a plurality of optical sheets 730 for increasingbrightness properties of the first light emitted from the light guideplate 720.

The light source part 710 includes a lamp 711 for generating the firstlight and a lamp reflector 713 for partially covering the lamp 711 toreflect the first light from the lamp 711 to the light guide plate 720.The light guide plate 720 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape,receives the first light through one or more side surfaces thereof andemits a second light through a front surface. A reflecting plate 740 isdisposed under the light guide plate 720 to reflect a third light leakedfrom the light guide plate 720, and the optical sheets 730 are disposedon the light guide plate 720 to diffuse or condense the second lightemitted from the light guide plate 720.

The first receiving container 800 includes a bottom surface 810 andfirst to fourth sidewalls 820, 830, 840 and 850 extended from the bottomsurface 810 to provide a receiving space. The light source part 710,light guide plate 720, optical sheets 730 and reflecting plate 740 ofthe backlight assembly 700 are received into the receiving space of thefirst receiving container 800.

That is, when the light source part 710 is received into the receivingspace adjacent to the third sidewall 840 of the first receivingcontainer 800, the reflecting plate 740, light guide plate 720 andoptical sheets 730 are sequentially received onto the bottom surface 810of the first receiving container 800. The display unit 600 is disposedon the plurality of optical sheets 730.

The LCD panel 610 is disposed on the first to fourth sidewalls 820, 830,840 and 850 of the first receiving container 800 and the gate PCB 630 isreceived in a PCB receiving portion (not shown) extended from the firstsidewall 820 of the first receiving container 800. Also, the data PCB620 is positioned at a rear surface of the first receiving container 800by outwardly bending the data TCP 640 along an outer surface of thefirst receiving container 800.

The second receiving container 900 includes a upper surface 910 andfifth to eighth sidewalls 920, 930, 940 and 950 extended from the uppersurface 910. The second receiving container 900 is combined with thefirst receiving container 900 receiving the backlight and display units600 and 700. Accordingly, the upper surface 910 is faced to thenon-effective display area S of the display unit 600 and the fifth toeighth sidewalls 920, 930, 940 and 950 are faced to the first to fourthsidewalls 820, 830, 840 and 850 of the first receiving container 800.Although not shown in FIG. 13, the first receiving container 800 iscombined with the second receiving container 900 using hooks or screws,thereby preventing the backlight and display units 700 and 600 frombeing deviated from the first receiving container 800.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the fifth and sixth sidewalls 920 and 930of the second receiving container 900 are provided with first and secondfixing grooves 921 and 931, respectively. The first and second fixinggrooves 921 and 931 are positioned at a center of the fifth and sixthsidewalls 920 and 930. That is, assuming that the fifth and sixthsidewalls 920 and 930 have a height of “h”, the first and second fixinggrooves 921 and 931 are positioned at a height of about “h/2”.

The first and second sidewalls 820 and 830 of the first receivingcontainer 800 facing to the fifth and sixth sidewalls 920 and 930 of thesecond receiving container 900 are provided with first and secondcombining grooves 821 and 831 corresponding to the first and secondfixing grooves 921 and 931. The first and second combining grooves 821and 831 compensate for an increase in the thickness of the fifth andsixth sidewalls 920 and 930, that increases by forming the first andsecond fixing grooves 921 and 931 on the fifth and sixth sidewalls 920and 930.

Therefore, the fifth and sixth sidewalls 920 and 930 are combined withthe first and second sidewalls 820 and 830 to couple the first andsecond fixing grooves 921 and 931 to the first and second combininggrooves 821 and 831, thereby preventing an increase in the size of theLCD apparatus 1100.

Although not shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the first and second fixinggrooves 921 and 931 may have a hole shape by perforating the fifth andsixth sidewalls 920 and 930 of the second receiving container 900.

The first and second fixing members 201 and 202 are inserted into thefirst and second grooves 921 and 931 disposed on the fifth and sixthsidewalls 920 and 930 of the second receiving container 900 to preventthe LCD module 1000 from being moved.

Since the first and second fixing members 201 and 202 have the samestructure, only the first fixing member 201 will be described.

The first fixing member 201 includes a body portion 210 facing thebottom surface 810 of the first receiving container 800, a first guidingportion 220 inserted into the first fixing groove 921 of the secondreceiving container 900 for guiding the LCD module 1000 along the bodyportion 210, and the connecting portion 230 for connecting the bodyportion 210 with the first guiding portion 220. Thus, the first fixingmember 201 prevents the LCD module 1000 from being moved vertically.

Referring to FIG. 15, the first fixing member 201 further includes asecond guiding portion having first and second supporting portions 241and 242 extended from the end portions of the body portion 210,respectively. The first and second supporting portions 241 and 242 arefaced with the seventh sidewall 940 and the eighth sidewall 950,respectively, of the second receiving container 900.

Accordingly, the first fixing member 201 supports the seventh and eighthsidewalls 940 and 950 of the LCD module 1000 using the first and secondsupporting portions 241 and 242 to prevent the LCD module 1000 frombeing moved.

The first and second supporting portions 241 and 242 are extended fromthe end portions of the body portion 210 to the upper surface 910 of thesecond receiving container 900. The first and second supporting portions241 and 242 have a height of about ½ of the height of the seventh andeighth sidewalls 940 and 950, respectively.

The first fixing member 201 further includes first and second fixingportions 251 and 252 extended from the first and second supportingportions 241 and 242. The first and second fixing portions 251 and 252are provided with first and second engaging holes 251 a and 252 a. Therear case 300 further includes first and second protruding portions 361and 362 corresponding to the first and second fixing portions 251 and252. The first and second protruding portions 361 and 362 are providedwith first and second engaging recesses 361 a and 362 a corresponding tothe first and second engaging holes 251 a and 252 a, respectively.

Accordingly, when the first fixing member 201 combined with the LCDmodule 1000 is received into the rear case 300, the first and secondengaging holes 251 a and 252 a are corresponding to the first and secondengaging recesses 361 a and 362 a, respectively. A first screw 371 issequentially engaged into the first engaging hole 251 a and the firstengaging recess 361 a and a second screw 372 is sequentially engagedinto the second engaging hole 252 a and the second engaging recess 362 aso as to combine the first fixing member 201 with the rear case 300.

According to the combination structure, the LCD module 1000 receivedinto the rear case 300 is prevented from being moved in directions Z andY. Also, since the first and second fixing members 201 and 202 aredisposed at both end portions of the LCD module 1000, the display module100 is also prevented from being moved in direction X.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are schematic views showing positions of the data PCBand first and second fixing members shown in FIG. 13.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the data PCB 620 is disposed on the rearsurface of the first receiving container 800 by outwardly bending thedata TCP 640 along a margin of the first receiving container 800. Thedata PCB 620 is disposed on the rear surface of the first receivingcontainer 800, so that the data PCB 620 may be overlapped with the firstand second fixing members 201 and 202 when viewing the LCD module 1000at a side of the first and second fixing members 201 and 202. In thisembodiment, the data PCB 620 is separated from the first and secondfixing members 201 and 202 in a predetermined distance as shown in FIG.16, or the end portions of the data PCB 620 are in contact with thefirst and second fixing members 201 and 202 as shown in FIG. 17 so as toprevent a thickness of the LCD apparatus 1100 from being increased dueto the overlap of the data PCB 620 and the fixing members.

In this embodiment, the data PCB 620 may have a length shorter than thatof a conventional data PCB. In this case, the data PCB 620 has a widthwider than that of a conventional data PCB to maintain a total size ofthe data PCB.

The aforementioned embodiments according to the present invention areapplied not only to the LCD apparatus using the liquid crystal, but alsoto an FPD using an organic electro-luminescence device and an FPD usingplasma.

In an FPD apparatus according to the present invention, the fixingmembers are coupled to the case after combining with the display module,so that the fixing members prevent the display module in the case frombeing moved.

Also, there is no necessity of steps of forming screw holes on thedisplay module and the case and engaging screws into the holes tocombine the display module with the case.

Also, since the number of parts for combining the display module withthe case is reduced, productivity of the FPD apparatus may increase.

Further, the thickness of the FPD apparatus may be reduced because theFPD apparatus does not need to have a separate space for the screws.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is understood that the present invention should not belimited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes andmodifications can be made by one ordinary skilled in the art within thespirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

1. A flat panel display apparatus comprising: a display module todisplay images, the display module having a fixing groove formed at asidewall of the display module; a case to receive the display module;and a fixing member disposed between the display module and the case tocombine the display module with the case, the fixing member combinedwith the display module via the fixing groove.
 2. The flat panel displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the display module comprises: a displayunit to display images using liquid crystal that controls transmittanceof light; a first receiving container to receive the display unit, thefirst receiving container having a bottom surface and sidewalls extendedfrom the bottom surface to provide a receiving space to receive thedisplay unit; and a second receiving container combined with the firstreceiving container to fix the display unit to the first receivingcontainer, the second receiving container having an upper surface andsidewalls extended from the upper surface, wherein the fixing groove isformed at one of the sidewalls of the second receiving container.
 3. Theflat panel display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fixing member iscombined with each of first and second end portions facing each other ofthe display module.
 4. The flat panel display apparatus of claim 2,wherein the fixing member comprises: a body portion disposed to be facedwith the bottom surface of the first receiving container, a firstguiding portion inserted into the fixing groove to guide the displaymodule along the body portion; a connecting portion to connect the bodyportion and the first guiding portion; a second guiding portion extendedfrom each of end portions of the body portion to guide the displaymodule; and a fixing portion extended from the second guiding portion tosecure the fixing member onto the case.
 5. The flat panel displayapparatus of claim 4, wherein the connecting portion is fhced with onesidewall of the second receiving container, and the second guidingportion is faced with another sidewall of the second receivingcontainer, said one sidewall and said another sidewall are perpendicularto each other.
 6. A fiat panel display apparatus comprising: a displaymodule to display images, the display module having a fixing grooveformed at a sidewall of the display module; a case to receive thedisplay module; and a fixing member disposed between the display moduleand the case to combine the display module with the case, the fixingmember comprising: a body portion; a first guiding portion to guide thedisplay module along the body portion; a connecting portion to connectthe body portion and the first guiding portion; a second guiding portionextended from each of end portions of the body portion to guide thedisplay module; and a fixing portion extended from the second guidingportion to secure the fixing member onto the case.
 7. The flat paneldisplay apparatus of claim 6, wherein the display module comprises: adisplay unit to display images using liquid crystal that controlstransmittance of light; a first receiving container to receive thedisplay unit, the first receiving container having a bottom surface andsidewalls extended from the bottom surface to provide a receiving spaceto receive the display unit; and a second receiving container combinedwith the first receiving container to fix the display unit to the firstreceiving container, the second receiving container having an uppersurface and sidewalls extended from the upper surface.
 8. The flat paneldisplay apparatus of claim 6, wherein the fixing member is combined witheach of first and second end portions facing each other of the displaymodule.
 9. A flat panel display apparatus comprising: a display moduleto display images; a case to receive the display module; and a fixingmember disposed between the display module and the case to combine thedisplay module with the case, the fixing member being combined with thecase by a screw, wherein the display module comnnses; a display unit todisplay images using liquid crystal that controls transmittance oflight; a first receiving container to receive the display unit, thefirst receiving container having a bottom surface and sidewalls extendedfront the bottom surface to provide a receiving space to receive thedisplay unit; and a second receiving container combined with the firstreceiving container to fix the display unit to the first receivingcontainer, the second receiving container having an upper surface,sidewalls extended from the upper surface, and a fixing groove formed atone of the sidewalls of the second receiving container.
 10. The flatpanel display apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fixing member iscombined with each of first and second end portions facing each other ofthe display module.
 11. The flat panel display apparatus of claim 9,wherein the fixing member comprises: a body portion disposed to be facedwith the bottom surface of the first receiving container; a firstguiding portion inserted into the fixing groove to guide the displaymodule along the body portion; a connecting portion to connect the bodyportion and the first guiding portion; a second guiding portion extendedfrom each of end portions of the body portion to guide the displaymodule; and a fixing portion extended from the second guiding portion tosecure the fixing member onto the case.
 12. The flat panel displayapparatus of claim 11, wherein the connecting portion is faced with onesidewall of the second receiving container, and the second guidingportion is faced with another sidewall of the second receivingcontainer, said one sidewall and said another sidewall are perpendicularto each other.
 13. The flat panel display apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe case comprises: a rear case to cover a rear surface of the displaymodule, the rear case having an engaging recess; and a front case tocover a front surface of the display module, the front case beingcombined with the rear case.
 14. The flat panel display apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the fixing portion includes an engaging holecorresponding to the engaging recess of the rear case.
 15. The flatpanel display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second guiding portionincludes: a first supporting portion extended from one of the endportions of the body portion; and a second supporting portion extendedfrom the other of the end portions of the body portion, wherein thefirst and second supporting portions are perpendicular to the bodyportion.
 16. The flat panel display apparatus of claim 15, wherein thefixing portion includes: a first fixing portion extended from the firstsupporting portion; and a second fixing portion extended from the secondsupporting portion, wherein the first and second fixing portions areperpendicular to the first and second supporting portions, respectively.17. The flat panel display apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first andsecond fixing portions include first and second engaging holes,respectively, corresponding to first and second engaging recesses,respectively, formed in the case to fix the fixing member onto the case.18. The flat panel display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the firstguiding portion comprises a plurality of first protruding portionsextended from the connecting portion, the plurality of first protrudingportions being separated from each other in a predetermined distance.19. The flat panel display apparatus of claim 18, wherein the connectingportion includes a plurality of second protruding portions extended fromthe body portion, the plurality of second protruding portions beingseparated from each other in a predetermined distance, each secondprotruding portion connecting corresponding one of the first protrudingportions with the body portion.
 20. The flat panel display apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the first receiving container has an engaging groove atone of the sidewalls corresponding to the fixing groove.
 21. The flatpanel display apparatus of claim 9, wherein the display unit comprises:an LCD panel to display images; a printed circuit board to generate adriving signal to the LCD panel; and a flexible film to connect the LCDpanel to the printed circuit board to provide the driving signal to theLCD panel.
 22. The flat panel display apparatus of claim 21, wherein theprinted circuit board is disposed on the bottom surface of the firstreceiving container and has no area overlapping with the fixing member.